Finding the right courier service can make all the difference in your business’s ability to deliver documents and goods in a timely manner. There are so many courier services and independent contractors out there today that it can often seem a bit overwhelming to find the best ones. Of course, the basic criteria for good service are all there, but considering that every courier service claims to have the best delivery times and rates, you have to do a little more digging.
Here are the tips that you need to keep in mind when you’re in the market for a reliable local courier service.
Tip #1: Find the courier that handles what you need to be transported.
Courier services can transport a lot of items. There are couriers specifically available for document transit, refrigerated courier services, industry-specific couriers, and general delivery services alike. You have to look for a service that handles the kind of items that you need to send and receive on a regular basis. In some cases, that might mean hiring more than one, and that’s fine if it is necessary. However, if you have multiple types of items, consider sticking with a general courier service for maximum service availability.
Tip #2: Check availability and wait times.
When consulting with these professionals, you will need to check their regular availability and see if they will be ready on-demand when you need them. It does no good to hire someone who isn’t going to be available or that will make you wait for hours or days when you need things delivered immediately. When talking to services, let them know how often you will need them and make sure that they can meet that demand.
Tip # 3: Check for insurance and security.
We live in a gig economy, which means just about anyone can claim to be a courier and provide those services, as long as they know what they are doing. However, if you don’t do your homework, you could risk hiring some random person off the street that won’t be reliable or trustworthy. Always work with a courier or professional service that has proper insurance and security measures in place to protect your items, whether those are sensitive documents or just standard products.
Tip #4: Shortlist a few couriers to try.
Once you have reviewed the local couriers in your area, narrow it down to two or three of them to sample. Then, send a small, simple package with each and see how the experience goes. Make sure that you choose similar deliveries for each service so that you can compare them equally. This trial run may be what makes or breaks your decision. Plus, it’s a good way to see a company in action and get a feel for what actually happens during the process, including how well their customer support works if and when you need it.
The Bottom Line.
Hiring couriers is all about finding what you need. These tips should make it easier to narrow down your options when you are shopping around with various services. Always look at local services first, because they will likely be the most useful and affordable options. Chain courier brands and multinational companies are also an option, but you will need to make sure that they still deliver that personal service — and the goods — in a timely fashion.
From simple shipping snafus to serious delivery damage, there are all kinds of things that can go wrong when you choose the wrong delivery services for your business. Keep these tips in mind and you’ll have the best couriers in no time.
